Moulton's bill seeks exemption to erect War on Terrororism memorial in D.C.

Tuesday

Apr 4, 2017 at 11:48 AMApr 4, 2017 at 11:48 AM

William J. Dowd wdowd@wickedlocal.com @WJD_MHDReporter

A path to erect a National Global War on Terrorism Memorial in the nationa's capital is being laid, Congressman Seth Moulton, D-Salem, recently announced in a joint press conference in the main hall of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Washington D.C. Headquarters.

The memorial would commemorate and honor the members of the Armed Forces who've served in defense of the United States in post-Sept. 11 conflicts.

"I served in Iraq with some of the best Americans I know, and we owe this to all of them, to their families, and to the young men and women who continue put their lives on the line for us today,” said Moulton.

Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran who served four tours in the Iraq War over five years, was joined by fellow veteran Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, as well as Andrew Brennan, founder and executive director of the Global War on Terror Foundation.

“Memorializing the service and sacrifice of more than 6,800 fallen United States service members is an American matter,” said Gallagher. “During my service in the Marine Corps, I served alongside countless brave men and women, some of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism. “

Gallagher and Moulton introduced a bipartisan bill to the House that seeks a special exemption for the association to establish the memorial as a commemorative work on federal land in the nation’s capital.

The proposed legislation, Gallagher said, “honors their service and memorializes their legacy for future generations.” And the bare bones of the proposed legislation would exempt the memorial from existing law, which limits commemorations from being authorized on federal land until a decade after “the officially designated end of conflict,” according to Moulton’s office.

“Unlike most previous conflicts, the Global War on Terror,” Moulton’s office said, “ is an ongoing fight, and this legislation would enable us to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve.”

This memorial aims to honor the more than 59,433 casualties in the nation's longest war, said Brennan.

“We are looking forward to working with the House on the passage of this bill to bring the memorial to its rightful place on the National Mall,” said Brennan.